The Rex Gibson active approach to classroom Shakespeare enables students to inhabit Shakespeare’s imaginative world in accessible and creative ways, sharing Shakespeare's love of language, interest in character and sense of theatre. Substantially revised and extended, classroom activities are thematically organised in distinctive stagecraft, writing, language, characters and themes features. Expanded endnotes include extensive essay-writing guidance for 'King Lear' and Shakespeare, and extended glossaries are aligned with the play text for easy reference. Includes rich, exciting colour photos of global performances of ‘King Lear’. Further support material available at www.cambridgeschoolshakespeare.com

'Stagecraft' boxes give information on stage designs, directors' approaches and actors views on past performances and offer opportunities for students to explore and contribute their own ideas on staging.

'Write about it' boxes give information about writing about Shakespeare and suggest activities to help students with their own writing in response to the play. Students will be helped to translate discussion into high quality writing; look at 'points of dispute' in the play; structure various forms of writing, including essays; write responsively and sensitively about the play; provide evidence from the play to support their arguments.

Further boxed features focus on exploration of 'Language in the play', 'Characters' and 'Themes'.

Each act is followed by 'Looking back' sections with further notes, illustrations and activities.

Comprehensive and extended endnotes with illustrations and activities are linked to the boxed features and give further information and opportunities for exploration of stagecraft, language, characters and themes.

Comprehensive and extended endnotes with illustrations and activities are linked to the boxed features and give further information and opportunities for exploration of stagecraft, language, characters and themes.

New 'Writing about' sections focus on writing about Shakespeare in general and on the play in particular.

A rich selection of exciting colour photos with information on performances appear throughout.

William Shakespeare

An English poet, playwright, and actor (26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616) widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet, and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.